Police have charged the owner of a closed daycare center and former city councilman with assaulting a child.

Washington police have charged Darwin Woolard with assault on a child under twelve.

Woolard is the primary owner and licensee of Kingdom Kids Academy, according to the state.

Police accused the 45-year-old Woolard with striking a three-year-old child in the face with an open hand.

It happened at the daycare center on Avon Avenue.

Authorities say Wednesday's arrest came after investigator's preliminary review of video from the daycare center. Officials say more review will follow and the investigation is still open.

The Department of Health and Human Services suspended the facilities license on Monday and ordered it immediately closed.

DHHS said they received a complaint last Wednesday of child abuse or neglect regarding inappropriate discipline of children.

In a report, DHHS said they confirmed corporal punishment was used on a three year old, who was "popped in the face two times by a provider and a child was pulled by the ear across the carpet."

Because of his arrest, DHHS says Woolard is now disqualified from owning, operating or working in a child care facility.

Woolard is a former Washington city councilman. He is also a former trustee at the Washington Montessori Public Charter School.

Woolard was jailed on a $10,000 secured bond and has a May 20th court date. Online records show he posted bond.

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Washington police said they are investigating allegations of corporal punishment being used at a daycare center that's been shut down.

Kingdom Kids Academy in Washington had its license suspended on Monday and ordered to close by the state.

The documents WITN received from DHHS stated, "The agency's findings that conditions at the center represent immediate danger to the health, safety, and welfare of children receiving care at the center."

DHHS said they received a complaint last Wednesday of child abuse or neglect regarding inappropriate discipline of children.

In a report, DHHS said they confirmed corporal punishment was used on a three year old, who was "popped in the face two times by a provider and a child was pulled by the ear across the carpet."

In another case in February 2013, DHHS confirmed that children at the facility were not adequately supervised. It says a two-year-old child was playing with a group outside, and was able to "walk across a street unbeknownst to the staff member."

On its latest violation, the child care center has 30 days to submit a petition to the state, according to the DHSS appeal procedures.

Previous Story

Some parents will have to find alternate care for their children Tuesday after the Department of Health and Human Services summarily suspended a child care center's license on Monday.

According to information from DHHS, Kingdom Kids Academy in Washington was served a notice on Monday, stating they would have to close the facility at the end of the business day.

The documents WITN received from DHHS stated "the agency's findings that conditions at the center represent immediate danger to the health, safety, and welfare of children receiving care at the center."

The notice also said Kingdom Kids Academy had to notify parents and care givers they would not be open Tuesday.

The child care center has 30 days to submit a petition to the state, according to the DHSS appeal procedures.

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